On April 11, 2016,
Governor Brian Sandoval released the first edition of the Nevada Strategic Planning Framework
2016 – 2020. This plan, put
together by the governor and his cabinet, lays out a vision and a framework to achieve
that vision. Above all, it requires all sectors of the state government work
together to enact and implement all the pieces that will continue to grow the
economy and ensure a high quality of life for all Nevadans.
The framework is based on a vision that “Nevada’s best days are yet to come.” From that vision, it
sets a mission “To create a new Nevada
while honoring and enhancing 150 years of success.”, based on the values
of:
o
Action
o
Collaboration
o
Inclusiveness
o
Integrity
o
Leadership
o
Optimism
o
Service
There are four strategic
priorities central to all areas:
o
Vibrant and Sustainable Economy
o
Educated and Healthy Citizenry
o
Safe and Livable Communities
o
Efficient and
Responsive State Government
With
any long-range plan, the fluidity that comes with changing elected leadership,
changing organizational structures, and new laws, regulations, and policies
must be addressed to minimize the impact of such change on the overall plan.
The framework laid out by Governor Sandoval does this by focusing on eight core
governmental functions:
o
Business Development and Services
o
Infrastructure and Communications
o
Education and Workforce Development
o
Health Services
o
Human Services
o
Public Safety
o
Resource Management
o
For this long-range
vision for Nevada to be successful, the strategic priority of efficient and
responsive state government is paramount. The executive branch, the elected
constitutional officers of the state must lead. Along with the elected
legislative leadership, they must be able to bring all sides together and
create a climate for respectful dialog to work through differences of opinion.
The legislature, the 42 elected members of the assembly and 21 elected members
of the senate are the workhorses who must fund the programs, make necessary
changes to statutes, and provide the resources that will allow the vision to
become a reality. This may be easier said than done.
In today’s
political environment, elected officials are more likely to be judged on their
loyalty to their political party base (a vocal but small segment) and
ideological purity than on their dedication and desire to do what is best for
the state. Actions and decisions may be based more on fear of being defeated in
a primary election than on what the lawmaker truly believes is right. Working
together to collaborate on viable programs, having respectful discussions that
recognize differences of opinion yet don’t let those differences get in the way
of reaching consensus can be risky and difficult. The result is often
contentious party-line debate that impedes progress.
The Nevada Election Modernization and
Reform Act for 2017 (NEMRA – 2017) could be an essential tool in meeting the framework’s
priority of efficient and responsive state government. It clearly embraces the
seven values of action, collaboration,
inclusiveness, integrity, leadership, optimism, and service.
NEMRA – 2017 allows legislators to
do what is best for the state without having to fear being “primaried”. Use of
ranked choice / instant runoff voting (RCV / IRV) has proven to return
civility to campaigning and legislating. With
elections and legislating requiring appealing to more than just the small party
base, candidates and legislators can address issues in a pragmatic fashion
rather than ideologically pure dogma.
Governor Sandoval’s Nevada’s Strategic Planning Framework
2016 – 2020 is an initiative that will be mostly undertaken after he leaves
office. Successful implementation will take a willingness to continue on its
path by his successor as well as legislators who may succeed those currently
serving. It will require putting in place processes that allow transition of
personnel while encouraging open, respectful, and honest debate. NEMRA – 2017 is such a process.
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